Trending Now

You are here

Fire burns in desert west of Blackfoot

ROCKFORD — A fire west of Blackfoot burned 688 acres and was 50 percent contained by 8 p.m. Tuesday night, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
The fire, named the Taber Fire, was reported about 3 p.m. Tuesday at 1900 West 300 North approximately 4 miles south of Taber and 17 miles west of Blackfoot. The fire was primarily burning in the desert and lava flows but was adjacent to a hay field. There had been no reports of loss or damage due to the fire as of Tuesday evening.
The Bureau of Land Management sent four heavy engines, one light engine, two single engine air tankers, one hand crew, one helicopter and a bulldozer to the fire, Bureau of Land Management Public Affairs Specialist Sarah Wheeler said. The Blackfoot Fire Department also had crews on scene.
Wheeler said fires in the lava flows are difficult and crews had to hike in to get to the fire. Lava flows are also rough on equipment and shred hoses. BLM firefighters were expected to remain on scene through the night. The fire was expected to be 100 percent contained Tuesday night.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but Wheeler said fire investigators were on scene working to determine what may have started the fire.